The Algerian Air Force (Al Quwwat aljawwiya aljaza’eriiya) has received the first batch of MiG-29M/MiG-29M2 fighter aircraft from Russia. The fighters were delivered disassembled and are now being prepared for their first flights at the Oran airbase, Algeria. These aircraft are identical to their Egyptian version and will replace MiG-29S aircraft operational in the Algerian Air Force’s 193rd fighter squadron. Russia’s state arms seller Rosoboronexport signed two contracts with Algeria on the delivery of a squadron of MiG-29M/MiG-29M2 fighters and a squadron of Su-30MKA aircraft at the MAKS-2019 international air show near Moscow last year.
The Algerian Air Force purchased a large number of MiG-29s (index 9.13) from Belarus and Ukraine from 1999 to 2003. At least 25 Su-24MKs were also acquired during the same period. After the large military deal concluded with Russia during March 2006, Algeria ordered 28 Su-30MKAs, 16 Yak-130As, and 34 MiG-29SMTs. An earlier attempt to replace the first generation MiG-29 failed when the country rejected a batch of 34 MiG-29SMTs after it received 15 of them based on old used airframes rather than new-build aircraft, as stipulated in the contract. The rejected airframes were then put into Russian service.
The Mikoyan MiG-29M (Fulcrum-E) is Russian multirole fighter developed in 2005. It is based on unified platform together with Mikoyan MiG-29K. Far predecessor of current MiG-29M was designed by Mikoyan Design Bureau in the Soviet Union during the mid-1980s and was known as “MiG-33” during the 1990s. MiG-29M2 / MiG-29MRCA is a two-seat version of MiG-29M. Identical characteristics to MiG-29M, with a slightly reduced ferry range of 1,800 km. RAC MiG presented in various air shows, to name a few, Fifth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (CIAAE 2004), Aero India 2005, and MAKS 2005. It was once given designation MiG-29MRCA for marketing purpose and has evolved into the MiG-35.
